Michael Bradley played a more attacking role for Jurgen Klinsmann's United States national team, and it worked out. "An imperious performance. A goal and an assist, and looked the best player on the pitch for either team by a country mile otherwise," wrote Goal USA's Keith Hickey, giving the Toronto FC man a 4.5 out of 5 in the player ratings for the USA's 2-2 draw against Mexico.

"Playing a new role at the top of Jurgen Klinsmann's midfield diamond, Bradley delivered a goal and an assist in the USA's 2-2 draw with Mexico on Wednesday. After opening the scoring by stabbing home a corner kick at the far post, Bradley used his head to set up a Chris Wondolowski strike. He then carried that form back to his club Saturday, scoring from a tight angle to bag his first goal for Toronto FC and spark a 2-0 win at previously unbeaten Columbus," wrote Goal USA's Thomas Floyd.

It served as a reminder of how versatile Bradley can be and just how important he is to the United States. Despite the early stage of the season, he's already of utmost importance to his club as well, and the week will help assuage concerns a move back to North America could dampen his form ahead of the World Cup.

Congratulations to Michael Bradley, Goal's 17th CONCACAF Player of the Week winner!

The Shortlist

Javier Hernandez - Man United

"A five cameo against Bayern Munich was no star turn for the Mexican, but an injury picked up by Wayne Rooney opened the door for Chicharito to make good on a rare start this season. Juan Mata got the headlines, but Hernandez played a huge part in United taking a 4-0 win over Newcastle, setting up Mata for United's second with a pinpoint cutback and getting one of his own for the team's third.

As usual, his running of the channels was brilliant and stretched the Newcastle back line, opening up space for Mata and Shinji Kagawa to work their magic in the hole behind him, and keeping United's good run of form going despite the club playing without its two star forwards." - Goal USA's Allen Ramsey

Clint Dempsey - USA, Seattle

"MLS fans finally saw the player they've been waiting for since Dempsey made his MLS return in August, as the U.S. captain notched a hat trick and willed Seattle to a 4-4 draw at rival Portland. After calmly converting a first-half chance to get his name on the board, Dempsey scored twice in the game's final five minutes — a scrappy finish followed by a penalty kick — to complete a remarkable comeback.

Dempsey also showed creativity in the USA's midweek draw with Mexico, slipping in Eddie Johnson for a goal that replays showed was wrongly ruled offside." - Floyd

Alan Pulido - Mexico, Tigres

With competition at the forward positions very tight and Chicharito sending a reminder of his skills, Pulido put in a pair of impressive performances to make his case to Miguel Herrera. The 23-year-old striker was on target for the equalizer in El Tri's draw with the United States. He followed that up by putting in two more for his club in a 2-0 win against Atlante, once from the run of play and once from the spot. The win keeps the club alive in the Liguilla race.

Diego Reyes - Porto

The Mexican center back made his second and third starts for the Porto first team and made an instant impression, helping the club to a 1-0 first leg Europa League triumph over Sevilla and earning an award from the club for his stellar performance in Sunday's 3-1 win against Academica. His emergence has to be encouraging for Miguel Herrera.

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